Top Ten Must-Visit Classic Restaurants

A 1927 landmark for no-fuss southern cooking. The eclectic crowd—from grandmas to hipsters—fills up on sweet tea, fresh-baked rolls, and more than two dozen sides.
1879 Cheshire Bridge Road NE; 404-874-5642

Some come for the celebrity sightings, others for the old-school waiters in black tie. We come to this circa-1966 Beverly Hills hangout for Steak Sinatra, Lasagna Verdi Bolognese, and the comfy dark-red leather booths.
9785 Santa Monica Boulevard; 310-278-1845; ladolcevitabeverlyhills.com

Tadich Grill

San Francisco

Opened in 1849, this is the city’s oldest restaurant. Two of its most famous dishes are the cioppino (seafood stew) and Hangtown Fry (an oyster and bacon frittata). Don’t miss the pan-fried sand dabs (a Pacific flatfish).
240 California Street; 415-391-1849

This venerable breakfast, lunch, and dinner saloon opened in 1856 and has been at its present location since 1983. Oysters, crab cakes, and ice-cold Martinis get raves, as does the trout Parmesan.
675 15th Street NW; 202-347-4800; ebbitt.com

The only words you need to remember here are beer and schnitzel. German immigrant Herman Joseph Berghoff opened this place in 1898 to showcase his Dortmunder-style beer. That tradition lives on, modernized, in hearty German foods and cold brews.
17 West Adams Street; 312-427-3170; berghoffgroup.com

At this French-Creole classic, established in 1840, regulars don’t just call for a reservation. They call and ask for their waiter, who keeps track of their table, their cocktail, and, this being New Orleans, their secrets. One of the best is Charles Carter—ask for him and tell him Bon Appétit sent you.
713 Rue Saint Louis; 504-581-4422; antoines.com

Thanks to chef Lydia Shire, who took over in 2001, we can still get JFK’s favorite lobster stew and Indian pudding—served in what is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in America. The bar—with its painting of Madame Yvonne—is gorgeous as well. Established in 1875, this place lets you feel what it would be like to dine out in the late 19th century.
3 Winter Place; 617-542-1340; lockeober.com

The restaurant opened in 1953, but the hacienda that houses the area’s favorite lunch and dinner spot dates back to 1692. Many dishes—enchiladas, tacos, burritos—come with green or red chile sauce. Order both, a.k.a. Christmas-style.
113 1/2 East Palace Avenue; 505-982-9030; sfshed.com

There may be better steaks in New York, but in terms of atmosphere, service, food, and historical significance, no steakhouse can equal this 1885 Herald Square stalwart. The bar mixes up one of the city’s best Manhattans.
72 West 36th Street; 212-947-3636; keens.com

For a taste of vanishing Vegas, you can’t beat this steakhouse (circa 1958) where an order of Caesar salad, New York strip, and multiple Martinis would make Sinatra proud.
308 West Sahara Avenue; 702-387-4470; golden.snapsweb.com